Possible reasons why transmission not engaging - at all??

I think easiest (albeit messiest and expensive) way would be fill it up and see where it goes. Find your leak real quick. If you don't find any obvious leaks I'd go for that.

We had a first gen member drain their trans instead of engine oil then overfill the engine oil and put nothing in the trans and it ruined the trans from being about 4 quarts low. I hope that's not the case with yours.

 

Here is the puck.

 

If it does not have a factory cooler then there will not be any external lines with transmission fluid. I would double check to make sure that it does not have the cooler attachment behind the puck like timsp8’s picture.

Also, you do know that the transmission pan two things that look like drain plugs. An actual plug to drain the fluid and also a plug that covers the standpipe for measuring fluid level. Just making sure.

If you did pull the drain plug and got no fluid I would put enough fluid in it to get the fluid level high enough to start dribbling out the standpipe plug before I tried to run it again.

 

Thanks guys...I VERY much appreciate the input and expertise. I definitely pulled the actual 'drain plug' and got nothing, I actually had some trouble breaking loose the overflow plug(from the diagram above)...but I think I'm going to do as suggested by most above and add fluid until it comes out of the overflow (after looking for any obvious leak areas).....I'm just kinda stumped at this point where the fluid could have all leaked out from. I would think with that much fluid, there would have been some signs. I'll report back after checking it over and refilling. Thanks again!

 

Report!....good news/bad news as it seems to be the theme with this truck. Good news first: I FOUND the leak! Bad news: the $!#$-hole that stole the catalytic converters and cut the brake lines...also knicked the transmission pan. I saw it when I first started looking around today, but it didn't seem to go all the way through the pan....so, I added about a quart of fluid and then saw the drip (see pics). I also had a question about the seal/gaskets for the 3 bolts. I'll also include pictures of those. Per the Carfax, the transmission fluid was changed about 30K miles ago....wondering if they didn't replace the seals/gaskets.
Maybe I should start a GoFundme page since every unexpected problem I've run into is because of a "rookie catalytic converter thief"....usually these guys are surgical...this guy made a bigger MESS than just taking the cats. OMG!!!!

 

Sorry...first pic is the leak location on the pan, 2nd pic is the drain plug bolt/gasket, 3rd pic is the overflow bolt/gasket, 4th pic is the fill bolt/gasket (which is the only one that has a rubber seal....I thought they all were supposed to have a rubber seal too??)

 

Pretty sure those are all correct. Does it go into gear now? Personally id use some JB Weld or some other cowboy method of stopping the leak until you figure out if this thing is worth saving.

 

Been awhile since I crawled under there, but it seems logical you can just run a hose from the pan back to the pan and completely bypass the entire cooling loop so it's just pumping fluid back into itself. Then fill it up and see if it works.

 

Your seals look correct. I agree with what has been said. I would figure out something to seal the pan (JB weld, RTV, etc) so you can see if it goes into gear before I found a more permanent fix. I can't really tell from the picture but if it is as small as it sounds like it is I would drain it, clean it really good and TIG weld it. You could always do that later too.

The good thing is I would imagine that once you get fluid in it the transmission will shift fine.

 

JLS in Wa - Since the fluid is basically leaking as fast I can put it in, I'm not sure if it will go into gear with some fluid in it.....but, I like your idea of a 'temporary fix' until I can be SURE the transmission is good before investing anymore. Thanks!!

Snivilous - I assume you are referring to if I had a transmission cooler, then route the lines back to itself...correct? otherwise, I'm not sure what you mean. Thanks!

huntertn - the knick is just that a VERY TINY knick (like I said, it was so small that I didn't even think it went all the way thru the pan...I couldn't believe it was leaking from it. But I also agree that I think I will figure a pretty good 'temporary fix for the tiny hole' and fill and see if the tranny works before I invest anymore.....Thanks again for all your help/suggestions. I will report back soon. i'll have to let the quart I put in leak out and clean and seal the hole.
You guys are GREAT!!

 

Sorry misread what was knicked, I thought it was one of the cooler lines. Agreed with everyone else, JB weld (or honestly even just duct tape it) and run it.

 

Is that fluid in that last pic there what you are trying to put in? That's a multi vehicle Dex/Merc style that is not the same as the Toyota WS that (I believe) is recommended for your 07.

 

But the asterisk says "*Toyota"

How can you argue with that??

 

NickB - yes, it is Valvoline Max Life. This supposedly meets the WS requirements for Toyota (per the label, and several others suggested it since I wasn't even sure the transmission was any good) if things work out.....I will probably drain and refill with WS. but it does say that it is an appropriate substitute for Toyota WS.
Thanks....

 

Cool. Just wanted to be sure.

 

Looking at that picture it looks like the frame is in great shape. The damage doesn't look bad. I would pull the pan (be careful as the screws holding the pan on tend to break) and try to fix it. Someone with a tig welder could easily fix it or just replace the pan. I doubt you did any damage.

Automatic transmissions are very forgiving. I once had a Ford Fairmont given to me for a demolition derby. But it was too light so it became a play car. One of my friends tried to slide the rear while going around a corner and instead plowed head on into a tree damaging the radiator. Being a mile or so from my house on some dirt roads we just drove as fast as we could until the trans fluid drained out. Not having any we put a few quarts of motor oil in it and actually made it back to the house. After cutting the steel lines and putting a hose to bypass the trans leak in the radiator and ran it that way for months. It still leaked and so a local garage let me just take as much used oil as I wanted to top it off. Since we ran it mostly at night we never paid much attention. After a few weeks the tranny started getting weak. Not really caring we kept on beating on the car for about another week. Then when we went to get more used oil during the day we found out that the barrel had water in it and we had used up all the oil and now were putting straight water in it. After going back to used motor oil it ran just fine. For the short amount of time you ran it I wouldn't worry one bit.

 

Thanks Dr_Al......I appreciate the boost of confidence...I need it! Sounds like some FUN times at the expense of the Ford Fairmont!!!

 

That poor car. We had a section of woods that was nothing more than short pine trees that we would go through as fast as we could. We hit a stump once and put it on two wheels to the point where (with an open diff) the car stopped moving forward. It took a couple of seconds to decide which way it was going to go. We got lucky and as soon as we had traction we were off. The front bumped too enough of a beating that the grill was gone and more than once the headlights popped out of the brackets holding them. We would bring one of those Black and Decker spotlight cordless flashlights to get home when it happened. But it was a Ford and the best way to run a Ford is like it's stolen and will break down at any moment. Amazing how the mind works. I haven't thought about that car in over 30 years.

 

Well...i 'finally' got around to doing this job. I repaired the trans pan (holes put in by cat converter thief with his sawzall blade) with JB Weld. It looks like it is holding as I poured in 3 quarts of Trans fluid (last time I put in 1 quart and it all came back out the hold)......So, next I guess its time to fire it up and see if it now shifts. I'm really nervous since I can't go through the proper procedure to check the fluid since I can't get the trans up to 'operating temperature' due to not having the radiator in (due to the front end collision damage)....Wish me luck. Going to give it a try tomorrow. If it doesn't work, I'm thinking about selling the truck since I'm getting in deep cost-wise and if I can't be sure the transmission is any good, I can't justify sinking in the money to repair the collision damage. Catch-22 !!!!

 

If it still acts up it could still not be full and would act funky. If it still acts up I'd put a bit more fluid in just to be sure.

 

I would put enough fluid in it to get it to run out the check hole. Start it. Shift through the gears. Shut it off. Refill until it runs out the check hole again. That would be a good place to start.

 

Thanks! That sounds like a good idea. That might be safer than just 'going for it'. I appreciate the suggestions!

 

I've GOT transmission!! Yesterday, I opened the "check hole" and fluid came out, so I started it up and ran it through the gears....I could feel some pull that I hadn't before, so that is GOOD....so today, I reopened the 'check hole' and no fluid came out, so I left it open and filled it again until it came out and then closed it up. I started it and it definitely felt MUCH better and moved the truck 'normally'.....of course I won't know for sure the fluid level until I can get the radiator in and warm it up to correct temperate and re-check via the 'proper method'....but, I feel much more comfortable putting more money it in now that it runs and "drives".....I appreciate the help I've gotten here so far and look forward to giving more updates on the progress. Thanks!!

 

I was waiting to hear how it worked out and this sounds very promising.

I was thinking that you probably did not run it much based on the front end damage so I kinda doubt the transmission is hurt.

It sounds like you have a good plan moving forward. It will be very satisfying to get it back on the road again soon.

 

huntertn,
Thanks man! I really do appreciate the support and advice!! I will hopefully have a new update soon. Still lots to do.

 

Guys on this forum love pictures so you will have to post them up when you finish getting it all fixed up.

 

Glad to hear the transmission issue might be minor-

before test driving and really running the trans, make sure you properly fill it, don't just pull the check plug at cold and fill, trans has to be at a certain temp (I think 215-225) fill trans up, pull check plug until it slows to a drip, then reinstall check plug... (you'll have to double check this, its been a minute since I've done mine)

 

Hey, @geoyodas8 , I've been kind of following your journey with this truck. Gotta say, I'm nowhere near as brave or capable, but I am definitely rooting for you and your Tundra to one day cruise the highway! I'd suggest you start a build thread, as yours is truly going to be build, and don't give up! There's lots of really helpful and knowledgeable people on this forum, so you are in the right place. If you do start up a build/resurrection thread, tag me so I can follow along!

@empty_lord I know your truck is not of this generation, but as a Tundra owner who has resurrected a wrecked truck, do you have any tips, tricks, things to look for, or resources that could help George out?

 

What all is mangled on this one?

 

Guess I should have linked his intro thread that has more broad info.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/jus...recked-should-it-stay-or-should-it-go.108000/